Defence supply to Sri Lanka not to escalate war: Raju

Bangalore, Oct 16 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju today said the provision of arms to Sri Lanka was not aimed at escalating trouble in that country.

Addressing a press conference here, he said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was for a united Sri Lanka which had been facing prolonged ethnic struggle.

''The aid was not aimed at fanning the confrontation. This was made very clear by the Prime Minister,'' he said.

When asked whether there was any space war between China and India on Chandrayan-I scheduled to be launched on October 22 from Sriharikota, he said, ''Our Chandrayan mission is not aimed at any race against anybody. It is to showcase the country's capability in space technology.'' UNI MSP VV GT CS1842